Pacquiao not resting on laurels

Back home to a hero’s welcome, International Boxing Federation (IBF) superban tamweight champion Manny Pacquiao modestly said he’s still got a lot to work on in the gym before scaling the heights of fistic stardom.

Pacquiao arrived late Monday night with wife Jinkee, trainer Lito Mondejar, and aide Buboy Fernandez. Last Saturday, he stopped Jorge Eliecer Julio of Colombia at 1:09 of the second round to retain his IBF crown at the Pyramid Arena in Memphis.

Pacquiao said he didn’t expect the fight to end so soon. But he was determined to press the action from the start. The plan was to jump the gun on Julio and intimidate him, like what Pacquiao did to Lehlo Ledwaba in Las Vegas last year.

Pacquiao’s trainer Freddie Roach had simple instructions–don’t fight too close because Julio is a notorious headbutter, make Julio feel your power early, use your hand and footspeed, and relax.

For over a month, Pacquiao labored under Roach’s watch at the Wild Card gym in Hollywood. He faced three and sometimes, four sparmates in consecutive three-round sessions every other day, thrice a week. Roach lined up bigger sparmates who could take Pacquiao’s power–featherweights, junior lightweights, and lightweights. There were days when Pacquiao left the gym with blood trickling down his nose.

Roach took no chances. He wanted Pacquiao in the best shape of his career against Julio because his performance would be witnessed by millions all over the world. It was the opportunity of a lifetime to appear in the undercard of the "Fight of the Century"–Lennox Lewis versus Mike Tyson. In all, Pacquiao sparred about 100 rounds. At the weigh-in, he tipped the scales at 120 pounds, wearing shorts–without reducing or cutting down on food. He was comfortably within the 122-pound limit and in tip-top condition.

Pacquiao said he was prepared for Julio’s dirty tricks. But a wayward elbow struck him on the forehead, raising a welt, in the first round. Julio also got in a low blow. Pacquiao, however, made sure there would be no repeat of the Agapito Sanchez fiasco last November.

"Inunahan ko siya," said Pacquiao. "Ginawa ko lang ‘yung utos ni Freddie. Relax, gamit ng utak, kaunting gulang, galaw ng ulo, huwag mag-panic kung matamaan."

Pacquiao said he wasn’t awed by the Memphis crowd. The glitz pumped up his adrenalin. He knew he had to impress and so he did.

Only Roach, Fernandez, kumpare Gerry Peñalosa, and cutman Jimmy Glenn were credentialed to accompany Pacquiao in the arena. His wife Jinkee, manager Marty Elorde, business manager Rod Nazario, Mondejar, Games and Amusements Board Commissioner Angel Bautista, Dr. Nasser Cruz, and fighter Allan Visayas had to be content watching from a closed-circuit TV set at the Grand Casino Hotel in Tunica, Mississippi, about a 45-minute drive away from the fight site.

Upon his arrival the other night, Pacquiao was mobbed by well-wishers at the airport and whisked to the VIP lounge for press interviews. Then he had dinner at the Aristocrat on Roxas Boulevard before checking in at the Dona Josefa Apartments on Harrison.

Yesterday, Pacquiao visited the L&M gym in Sampaloc with his wife and their son Jimuel. Then, he attended early evening Mass at the Malate Church.

This afternoon, Pacquiao will be interviewed by Sen. Noli de Castro in a special Channel 2 "Magandang Gabi Bayan" segment at the L&M gym. A Malacañang courtesy call on President Arroyo is in the works. GAB boxing chief Noli Flores phoned Mondejar yesterday to arrange the Malacañang appointment.

Pacquiao said he still has to improve on his footwork, head movement, jab, and defense. He added that Nazario plans a non-title fight in Manila in August then a third championship defense in September or October in the US.

Pacquiao admitted his knockout over Julio was his best showing so far.